Married Upstate New York cop had oral sex with minor outside cemeteries and elementary school: DA

Watervliet Police Officer Joshua Spratt, a 10-year veteran with the department, an Iraq War veteran and married father of three, allegedly had sexual relationships with two teenagers, including a minor. (Albany County Sheriff's Departme/Albany County Sheriff)

A veteran cop in upstate New York, who is also an Iraq War veteran and married father of three children, allegedly had sexual encounters with two teenagers, sometimes outside of cemeteries and an elementary school, police said Monday.

Watervliet Police Officer Joshua Spratt, 34, is accused of exploiting a position working with high school students to lure his victims, the Albany Times Union reported.

Advertisement

"For me personally, (the accusations are) a shock, particularly with Officer Spratt because he hadn't exhibited any of this type of behavior to us," Watervliet Police Chief Ronald Boisvert told the paper.

The Watervliet City School District also denounced Spratt in a statement, calling his accusations "an egregious and unforgiveable (sic) betrayal of the trust we all placed in him."

Even though it's the middle of summer vacation, the district initiated a "Crisis Team" to meet with students and discuss the case.

Spratt was jailed on Saturday, but his charges weren't revealed until Albany County District Attorney David Soares released information from a sealed seven-count indictment against the cop.

Spratt allegedly had sexual relationships with two girls, ages 16 and 17, according to the indictment. Between February and April this year, he had oral sex with the 16-year-old in the parking lots of two local cemeteries, as well as the parking lot of Watervliet Elementary School, the indicted says.

Because 17 is the age of consent in New York State, Spratt was only charged with official misconduct for his alleged encounters with the older girl.

Spratt served 10 years on the Watervliet Police force, and spent two years working as an unpaid resource officer at Watervliet High School, helping to promote student safety, CBS Albany reported. That seemingly charitable service gave him easy access to the girls, school officials said.

The officer faces felony charges of third-degree criminal acts, plus misdemeanor charges of child endangerment and official misconduct. Spratt pleaded not guilty to all charges and is out on $50,000 bail. He faces up to 16 years in prison if found guilty.

The 34-year-old cop allegedly engaged in oral sex with a 16-year-old girl in the parking lot of Watervliet High School, as well as the parking lots of two local cemeteries. (WNYT)

The evidence against Spratt includes "phone communication," "text communications" and a video recorded by one of the accusers, Albany County District Attorney David Soares told local media, offering no details about the contents.

"Right now, the emotion that an entire community is going to be going through is one of outrage," Soares told reporters.

"What I'm hoping for as a result of this dialogue is that this community does come together — and if there are other victims out there that we create an environment where those people can come forward."